Bearded

Chapter 7

"Trug, I need wards against the Evil Eye. Where can I get some amulets or incense or something like that?"

Her friend looked at her, bemused. "Good morning to you too. I had a wonderful evening, thanks for asking. All is well with my axe and beard. Thanks for waking me up before the first shift bell this morning, and you're welcome, you're not in trouble at work."

Gudrun had the grace to look chagrined. She gently touched her forehead to theirs. "I'm sorry Trug, if only you knew, you would understand. I'm sorry. I can't speak of it. Not yet. I don't want to put you at risk."

The smile slid off their face and they looked intently into Gudrun's dark eyes.

"I don't know what you are on about, but I know you well enough to know something has really frightened you. I am here for you but if you are not ready to speak, I am waiting for you. I don't have an amulet, but I can do this for you."

They went to the box of pigments they used when casting different hues in the metals. Trug approached Gudrun and lifted her beard. There were only two other people in the workshop that day, seated at the far end, but even they could not help casting a curious glance their way. To touch another's beard in public was not something normally seen outside the bawdier institutions. On her lightly furred chest they used the charcoal to draw a shape then with the blue pigment smeared a circle in the centre. A stylised eye. "Here is a basic protection against the evil eye. That's all I know but please, know you can come to me, whatever trouble you are in."

They gently touched foreheads then Gudrun was out of the workshop in a burst of leathers and boots.

____________

Gimli allowed the fine golden hair to flow through his fingers as he sat on the double seat by the fireplace in his room and Legolas lay with his head on Gimli's lap. Slowly, the elf's eyes closed as Gimli's rough fingers carded through his hair. Legolas' long legs were hanging over the side of the arm of the seat and he smiled in contentment. He breathed out tiny noises of pleasure as Gimli's hand continued to move in his hair. Gimli murmured, "if I put my pipe down I would have another hand free."

Legolas smiled contentedly.

"What would I do with a free hand I wonder?" Gimli growled.

And Legolas laughed low in his throat.

Gimli's hand ran over Legolas's chest as his other hand continued rhythmically running through his hair. Legolas moaned, his musk rising in the air around them.

Through the fog Gimli thought to himself. His heart had answered a summons, but whence this summons came was now a matter of public debate. Could it be that Legolas, or another had indeed bewitched him? The feeling inside of him was so strong. The Lady Galadriel was said by some to be a witch. The Lady of the Wood read many hearts and desires. Could it have been that she had planted that desire? To what end?

He looked down at Legolas. Never had he known a heart so pure and he knew he would never twist his will. Another thing Gimli knew with certainty was the goodness of the Lady. Had she not rejected the allure of the ring herself?

Gimli felt shame rush up to meet him. He had threatened to cleave from its shoulders the head of anyone who slandered the Lady and now here he was entertaining the same calumnies. The pressure of the rumours and the general public dislike of the Elf was troubling him. He could not wander the streets with Legolas, but it would not be kind to leave him in his rooms if he went out without him, so they were spending many hours together in one room when they were used to wandering abroad under the open skies. The strain was affecting them both.

"I am troubled in mind, Legolas" Gimli said. He knew it would help to speak of it, to purge it from his mind. "I have heard strange words. I have laboured long in thought and fear that I no longer know my heart. Tell me, Legolas, did you use any enchantment upon me or know of any one that did?"

Legolas stared at him as one that is stricken. Had an oliphant fallen on him, the impact would have been less. For a long pause he spoke not, while Gimli too remained silent.

So startling was the change that Gimli saw him, as if in that moment many years had fallen on his head. Grim was his face, grey-hued and weary. "But, Gimli," he said at last, "how come you to say such words?" Legolas' voice now seemed to come from a far-off place.

"With my body did I vow to you. Did I not bind myself to you? I am ever at your service. I know you know this, I felt that knowledge in my own body. I worshipped you, Gimli and still do. You know this."

He spoke softly and now tears shimmered unshed in his eyes. "Gimli, I would have you beside me only of your own free will; and if you wish now or ever to depart, you may do so. I would then sail to the West, and you would need not trouble yourself."

They said no more, and they ate in silence; but Gimli's eyes were ever upon Legolas, and it was clear that he was in great torment of mind.

Gimli got up from his chair and came over and sat in Legolas' lap. He was heavy, but the solid weight pressing into him was welcome. He cupped the smooth face in his hands, then signed sorry.

......
......

These were now questions forming in Legolas' own mind that he did not know how to articulate, even to himself. Was it possible that he had enchanted Gimi somehow? He knew only of one other Dwarf and Elf who had loved. Narvi had died before Celebrimbur could wed him, so could it be that it would have ended before that connection were made?

To their knowledge he and Gimli were the only such couple in Middle Earth. Perhaps, Legolas thought, he had caused Gimli's mind to have somehow been affected. Gimli's body was intoxicating. Had he been overtaken by lust and was now confused? No. He knew it with such a deep certainty that it was the only truth he could hold. He loved Gimli. He loved who he was, he loved him as he was and would change nothing. He would not hold him, bound, if he did not wish it; he had spoken in earnest, even though it would tear at his fea to be apart from him. If the physical aspect of their union were for some reason to end, still would he love him.

It was a long time before both could finally sleep.